Does coolant temps effect performance, and how to lower it?
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 853
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From: Amersham, Bucks
Does coolant temps effect performance, and how to lower it?
As per title,
Since I've fitted my bigger charger there is a vast difference in power when the car is just warmed up, 84*c, and after a drive when everything is warmed up itl often go to around 96-108 or something, the performance is very much different,
When first warmed up it goes like a bat out of hell, when used for a longer period its not so good, does the ecu retard the ignition timing or add more fuel sapping my precious fuel and power when I put my foot down?
To try and help this I replaced my 12 year old rad with an ali one on Friday and replaced the fluid in the system (and bled obvs) but its stayed the same,
Would the answer to my woes be to run a cooler thermostat + fan switch, and will this be ok on a day to day basis like on a run, will it be running my car too cold?
Measured from my scan guage, Intake temps are normally around 25 degrees, is that high? Do I need a larger intercooler to go with my much larger supercharger? Don't really want to go spending another grand on stuff for it to not make a difference : )
Dan
Since I've fitted my bigger charger there is a vast difference in power when the car is just warmed up, 84*c, and after a drive when everything is warmed up itl often go to around 96-108 or something, the performance is very much different,
When first warmed up it goes like a bat out of hell, when used for a longer period its not so good, does the ecu retard the ignition timing or add more fuel sapping my precious fuel and power when I put my foot down?
To try and help this I replaced my 12 year old rad with an ali one on Friday and replaced the fluid in the system (and bled obvs) but its stayed the same,
Would the answer to my woes be to run a cooler thermostat + fan switch, and will this be ok on a day to day basis like on a run, will it be running my car too cold?
Measured from my scan guage, Intake temps are normally around 25 degrees, is that high? Do I need a larger intercooler to go with my much larger supercharger? Don't really want to go spending another grand on stuff for it to not make a difference : )
Dan
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Joined: Jun 2007
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Dan,
If the new radiator you fited has the same measurments like the OEM one you should't see any difference on the coolant temperatures. If it's a bigger radiator you should see. In order to lower them you have to fit a cooler thermostat and another fan switch. The problem with that is that during winter it might run cooler than normal and this will increase mpg.
About your IAT temperatures 25 degrees is more than ok. Imagine that here in Greece even with an intercooler we see around 50 degrees celcious during summer time. So you should be ok
In any way when you modify your car as with the S/C you have to pay attention-respect some things. You have to let it cool down after a few pulls or some track circles. This will help you extend the life of your engine
Chris
If the new radiator you fited has the same measurments like the OEM one you should't see any difference on the coolant temperatures. If it's a bigger radiator you should see. In order to lower them you have to fit a cooler thermostat and another fan switch. The problem with that is that during winter it might run cooler than normal and this will increase mpg.
About your IAT temperatures 25 degrees is more than ok. Imagine that here in Greece even with an intercooler we see around 50 degrees celcious during summer time. So you should be ok
In any way when you modify your car as with the S/C you have to pay attention-respect some things. You have to let it cool down after a few pulls or some track circles. This will help you extend the life of your engine
Chris
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 20,788
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From: location, location
Further to Chris's comment you have trims and calibrations to add fuel and retard timing depending on coolant temperature was well as other factors.
So yes in the ecu it might "should" alter the tune based on coolant temps.
An iat temperature of 25c is pretty good, is this after or during booting it or just running around?
The coolant temp seems a bit suspect is the thermostat sticking? Or bled correctly?
Bare in mind on very hot days the coolant temps will rise anyways, as well as boost dropping for obvious reasons.
I think you have an issue with the cooling system.
So yes in the ecu it might "should" alter the tune based on coolant temps.
An iat temperature of 25c is pretty good, is this after or during booting it or just running around?
The coolant temp seems a bit suspect is the thermostat sticking? Or bled correctly?
Bare in mind on very hot days the coolant temps will rise anyways, as well as boost dropping for obvious reasons.
I think you have an issue with the cooling system.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 853
Likes: 2
From: Amersham, Bucks
Yes Chris, I do all that, limit what I'm doing, letting it cool down after a blast, and the rad was slightly bigger, 30% or something. The old rad I had was 12 years old, and looking pretty worse for wear, it was due an upgrade anyway.
I'm not 100% about iat, that's just normal cruising around, boosting, probably around 35-40 max depending on the ambient air temps.
Do these aftermarket fanswitches screw Into the rad In the oem position?
And if I do go down the route of that, what brands/where do I find them and the cooler thermostat?
I'm not 100% about iat, that's just normal cruising around, boosting, probably around 35-40 max depending on the ambient air temps.
Do these aftermarket fanswitches screw Into the rad In the oem position?
And if I do go down the route of that, what brands/where do I find them and the cooler thermostat?
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 853
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From: Amersham, Bucks
I've bled the system right, I could try again I guess, I'm thinking stuff (thermostat included) is getting old, and it's been like this for a while, reckon it might be worth just changing the thermostat for a new Honda one, and maybe just get a Lower temp fan switch, that would let it get hot, but keep it a bit more on check after a bit of a blast?
What's the normal cruising temp meant to be? I thought it was 84, although I may well be wrong...
What's the normal cruising temp meant to be? I thought it was 84, although I may well be wrong...
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Joined: Jun 2007
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I think 84 or 86 is where the fan kicks in. I do have a Mugen radiator fan switch and thermostat which opens at 82 and brings water temperature down to 74 degrees considering that i have a Koyo bigger than the OEM one radiator.
I think what you suggested is better. Just changing the fan switch with an aftermarket one and keep the OEM thermostat.
I think what you suggested is better. Just changing the fan switch with an aftermarket one and keep the OEM thermostat.
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Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 853
Likes: 2
From: Amersham, Bucks
I dont think my fan kicks in till way over that, so that could have so,etching to do with it possibly?
If I get a mugen fan switch, but stick with my normal thermostat, will the 2 not be constantly fighting one another, or does it not really work like that?
Could be the answer to my issues...?!
If I get a mugen fan switch, but stick with my normal thermostat, will the 2 not be constantly fighting one another, or does it not really work like that?
Could be the answer to my issues...?!
